Some random thoughts while enjoying the summer:
n Don't be surprised if the list of casualties at Ohio State goes beyond Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor. In the wake of the NCAA violations already uncovered, and Sports Illustrated's investigation into the Buckeyes' program, it doesn't take Peter Falk to conclude that there were many people looking the other way knowing significant rules were being broken. It will be surprising if Athletic Director Gene Smith and President Gordon Gee, not to mention some of the university's compliance personnel, are still in office in 2012.
n The fact that the ink from the SI article wasn't dry before USC was stripped of its 2004 title - not to mention the drama we witnessed at Auburn last season - shows what goes on at the upper levels of college football. Some are just better at not getting caught.
n Don't think for a second that college sports administrations didn't view Ohio State's Tattoogate and immediately warn their players against doing anything - such as trading memorabilia for tattoos - that would jeopardize their eligibility.
n The Division I football and basketball players without a tattoo are in the minority. Unfortunately.
n There is no debating Pryor's effectiveness as Ohio State's quarterback, given his career record of 31-4 as a starter that included three Big Ten titles. That said, if he's a longtime starter in the NFL, I suspect it will be at another position.
n LeBron James' penchant for fading away in the biggest games, along with the ill-advised handling of his "decision," lends credence to the fact that college can benefit those who are preparing for the grandest of stages. Physically, James was ready for the NBA when he came out of high school in 2003; emotionally, maybe he wasn't.
n I wish both Patrick Chambers and Ed DeChellis good luck. Chambers will benefit from some of the struggles DeChellis endured - the next guy always gets more; it's just the way it is - and DeChellis found a soft landing at Navy, where it's an honor to coach and program leaders are viewed as caretakers more than they're under pressure.
n Army has not had a winning season in men's basketball since 1985.
n One of the neat stories of the year on the scholastic level has been Central's hiring of 66-year-old Dave Baker as its new football coach. Baker spent 31 years as Williamsburg's head coach, and while he may have only averaged four wins per season, en route to 125, he kept that program stable and got the most out of the limited roster he was annually presented. At Central, his alma mater, he'll actually have a chance to win, and I'll be rooting for him.
n A rumor made the rounds Monday that Michael Vick was playing golf at Iron Masters. Not true. But two of Vick's teammates with the Philadelphia Eagles, Juqua Parker and Mike Patterson, were. Parker is married to a woman from the Cove.
Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
